Do you indulge when listening to your rig?

Albert, That sounds like a REALLY great, enjoyable ritual! And, I am sure that even your whole group's intake of Mexican food's after effects can nowhere near overpower your (fine) system in decibels... HA :)

My most meaningful and intense hifi "drug" is the warm blanket of self satisfaction that envelops me when I listen to my rig and bask in the knowledge that I assembled it all by myself and since it is SO good, I must also be good. This by itself feels amazing, although it is highly addictive and might not be for everybody.

Wolf, Narcissistic and Audiophilistic tendencies can never coexist peacefully.
It is a constant struggle...

Kinghifi

"I find with French Press, can never get the water hot enough and it cools off too fast. Is there a trick?"

The trick is actually the Frieling press. All others pale in comparison. It's fully insulated, even the top. The coffee only has to steep for 4 minutes so it's very hot when you pour it. I boil water in a LeCreuset kettle on the stove.

Read the reviews of the Frieling on Amazon.

Well...I'm not ACTUALLY good but my rig makes me THINK I am, and that's good enough for me!